Russell Crowe has recalled his last dinner with good friend Shane Warne before the legendary cricketer’s sudden death.
Warne died at the age of 52 last Friday while on holiday with friends in Thailand. An autopsy has since revealed he died of natural causes.
In a heartfelt tribute to the sports star, Crowe shared a photo of he and Warne enjoying a large group dinner at The Crown restaurant in Melbourne, Australia.
The Gladiator actor wrote in the caption: ‘Gold medalists, billionaires, fastest gun in the world. Oscars. Amy when she was a baby shark. Our last Crown dinner. Lots of love Shane.’
After news of Warne’s death broke last week, he had written: ‘Woke this morning to the devastating news. Having a hard time accepting it. Genius player. Grand company. Loyal friend.’
It comes after Warne previously revealed he wanted Crowe, 57, to play him in a Hollywood movie, as he was in talks to turn his 2008 Indian Premier League season into a blockbuster.
Pitting Crowe ahead of the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Chris Hemsworth, Warne told The Herald Sun in 2019: ‘He’s [Crowe] such a quality actor, has done a lot of different roles.
‘Chris Hemsworth is killing it and he’s an Aussie from Victoria too. I think we should have Margot Robbie too. We could have the All-Australian affair.’
Thai authorities released a statement about the cause of death on Monday, and said: ‘Today investigators received the autopsy result, in which the medical opinion is that the cause of death is natural.
‘Investigators will summarise the autopsy result for prosecutors within the timeframe of the law.
Members of Warne’s family have issued tributes in honour of the cricket legend following his death.
‘The night of the 4th of March 2022 is when a never-ending nightmare began for our family, for that is the date we lost our much loved and admired son, father, brother and Uncle, Shane Keith Warne’ a tragedy we will never come to terms with,’ read a statement from Warne’s parents Keith and Brigitte.
Warne’s eldest daughter Brooke, 24, said she would ‘cherish’ the pair’s final memories together.
She wrote in the statement issued on Monday: ‘Dad, this doesn’t feel real and doesn’t make sense that you are not here with us anymore. It doesn’t feel right, you were taken away too soon and life is so cruel. I will forever cherish our final memories together laughing and joking around with each other.
‘We were happy. We were so similar in so many ways and I always used to joke that I got your genes and about how much that annoyed me!!
‘Well now I couldn’t be happier and prouder that I have your genes. I am lucky and will forever be so proud to call you my Dad forever. I love you to infinity and back and I will miss you forever.’
The sporting icon’s son Jackson, 23, shared a statement to his ‘brother, best friend and dad’.
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